Safety match package



June 2, 1940. J sc n- 2,205,698

SAFETY MATCH PACKAGE I Filed Sept-10, 1937 Patented June 25, 1940 SMFETY MATCH PACKAGE Joseph ll. Schmitt, Houston, 'lifex.

Application September 10, 1937, Serial No. 163,172

2 Claims.

The hereinafter described invention relates to matches of the paper variety and more particularly to safety features and advantages in the packaging and use of such matches.

Among the objects of the invention is the pro vision in a match package of a protective cover over the matches contained therein, having a striking surface such that the cover must be closed over the body of matches before a match taken from the package can be struck.

Another object of my invention is to provide a safety match package with a striking surface on the flexible cover portion thereof, and preferably at the end of the cover, so that the match heads in the package will be well covered during the striking operation without the necessity of tucking the cover end into a guide.

My invention contemplates among its further objects the automatic covering of the matches in a package of paper matches during the striking of one or more matches as taken from the package before the lighting of same can be effected, thereby preventing practically the premature ignition of the remaining matches of the package.

Another object of my invention is to provide in a paper match package an auxiliary protective covering over the matches contained therein with slack in the material forming said covering so that the matches may be readily withdrawn from the package, in fact, an interior protective covering being provided in addition to the safety striking surface on the main package cover as herein above set out.

In order that my invention may be fully understood, reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which, Fig. 1 shows my improved match package in perspective and in closed position with a portion of the package broken away to show the situation of the striking surface as situated on the outside bottom end of the cover. Fig. 2 is another perspective view showing my improved package as held in the hand and cover lifted for withdrawal of matches. Fig. 3 is another perspective view with the hand in the same position as in Fig. 2 and the cover of the package in position during the striking of a match. Fig. i is still another perspective view of my invention by which the auxiliary inside protective covering over the matches is shown.

In the illustrative embodiments of my invention, numeral i0 denotes the paper material housing the matches, i i, the material it] being brought around a sufficient distance, as at Hla, to substantially entirely enclose the match striking surface l2, when the package is closed as shown in Fig. 1. Match striking surface i2 is preferably situated at the end of the cover portion Hlb of housing material Ill. Numeral I3 denotes an inside auxiliary paper protective covering secured 5 at its opposite ends to the material of housing it, being made with surplus of paper of a relatively thin character as compared to the paper housing material Ill, so as to permit ready removal of a match from the side of the package when cover Bob is lifted as shown in Fig. 4.

The new utility of my improved safety match package is well brought out in Fig. 3, which shows how the cover Mb is held down over the matches 5!, between the thumb and forefinger during the striking of a match against the surface it, in protection of the user.

In the handling of my improved safety match package, the cover ltb carrying striking surface l2 resides against the relatively stiffer and thicker bottom portion of the package, as provided by the lower ends of the matches where they are secured to the housing it by binder it. This makes a base for the striking surface l2.

The flexibility of the cover portion flflb is such that it requires a comparatively firm base for the striking of a match. This prompts the expression which I choose to state as, automatically covering the matches duringthe striking thereof, and it will be obvious that the flexible cover can be moved well up or beyond the bottom portion of the package, as held by binder M, and still the thumb and forefinger would hold the cover illb over the tips of the matches during striking against surface i2. 5

With the present paper match package, the user is instructed to close cover before striking; however, I have found that these instructions are rarely, if ever, observed, in view of the fact that it requires a distinct operation upon the part of the user to effect the protection proposed. With my improved package I eliminate this extra opera tion, while affording protection to the user by virtue of the cover Hlb, as carrying striking surface l2, residing over the matches of the package during the striking operation.

What I claim is:

1. In a book match structure, the combination of a group of matches having a joining base, a cover having one end folded around the said base and forming a front tuck flap thereat, said cover having a portion disposed at the back of the matches and being folded around the match heads, there being another portion of the cover disposed over the front of the matches and formas HEB ing a cover flap, the outer face of the cover flap at the extreme end margin thereof having a transverse band of match igniting material thereon and the tuck flap being of such length that the band of igniting material is fully concealed and protected by the tuckflap when the end margin of the cover flap is tucked in under the tuck flap in the normal closed position of the cover flap and the tuck flap may be used as a backing for the band of igniting material while a match is being struck.

2. In a book match structure, the combination of a group of matches having a joining base,-a cover .having one end folded around said base and forming a front tuck flap thereat, said cover having a portion disposed at the back of the matches and being folded around the match heads, there being another portion of the cover disposed over the front of the matches and forming a cover flap, the outer face of the cover flap adjacent the end margin thereof having a transverse band of match igniting material thereon and the tuck flap being of such length that the band of igniting material is substantially entirely concealed and protected by the tuck flap when the end margin of the cover flap is tucked in under the tuck flap in the normal closed position of the cover flap and the tuck flap may be used as a backing for the band of igniting material while a match is being struck.

JOSEPH I. SCHMITT. 

